Indianapolis shelter dogs who have spent a long time waiting for a forever home will soon get a taste of life away from the shelter through a new Indianapolis Animal Care Services program.

On Tuesday, the IACS announced its "Freedom for a Day" program. The effort was designed to allow dogs who have spent more than 30 days at the facility the opportunity to spend a day away from the kennels.

Charlene, an IACS shelter dog who spent a day away during the "Freedom for a Day" program, flashes a big smile while relaxing on the grass.(Photo: Indianapolis Animal Care Services)

"As warmer weather approaches, IACS has become overwhelmingly full. Right now, we have 766 animals in our care, with more coming in every day," shelter officials said in a Facebook post announcing the program. "Programs like this are not only fundamental to enriching the lives of the animals in our care, but also providing them with the opportunity for a second chance."

IACS officials said they have been piloting the program over the past few months with a group of volunteers and are now ready to open it to the public. One long-term shelter dog, Charlene, was among the pooches who had the opportunity to spend a day away from the facility.

The volunteer who took Charlene out said because of the cold, most of their "Freedom for a Day" time had to be spent indoors. But Charlene still had a great time riding in the car, cuddling and completing a treat puzzle.

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Symba Sam is a seven-year-old tan german shepherd and pit bull terrier mix with a great smile, which is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019.
Sam is heart worm positive. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Mitch, a 2.5 year old black domestic short hair is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He is best in a home with no other cats. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Elena, a three-year-old gray and white pit bull mix is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. This happy fun girl loves affection and knows how to sit, but must be the only dog in a home. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Persephone and Selene are a pair of five-year-old Labrador retriever mixes who are sharing a cage while waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

T-Bone, a brown and white pit bull terrier mix who loves to be in your lap and give attention, is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He must be the only dog in a house. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Chicory, a two-year-old male white and tan pit bull terrier and boxer mix is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. This happy and fun guy loves to be in your lap, and is interested in other dogs. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Fibonacci, a stray three-year-old male chocolate and white pit bull terrier is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He likes to be in your lap, play fetch, and is interested in other dogs. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Samurai is a two-year-old male tan and brindle pit bull terrier who is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S. Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He's a silly guy who loves affection, knows how to sit, but would do best as the only dog in a home. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Smoke, a two-year-old, one-eyed pit bull mix is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S. Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He is shy at first but will warm up and enjoy cuddles. He would do best as the only dog in a home with no children. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Edgar is a two year old male brown and white Staffordshire bull terrier waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Maxwell is a three-year-old pit bull terrier mix who is a fun and happy guy, waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He might be a little shy at first, but once he warms up, he loves to give kisses. He needs to be the only dog in a home. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Lulu is an eight-year-old white and brindle pointer mix waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. She is very loving, good with other dogs and a real smarty pants. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Slim Jim is a four-year-old beautiful brown pit bull terrier, who is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. He is a sweet lap lover who loves treats and is interested in other dogs. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Matilda is a two-year-old black and white pit bull terrier, who is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. She's a fun and energetic gal who loves toys and treats but needs to be the only dog in the house. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Penny is a nine-month-old pit bull terrier mix who is who is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Penny is a real sweetheart, who loves treats and to cuddle. She is also interested in other dogs. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Bulwinkle, a brown and white two-year-old white and brown pit bull terrier mix who was taken from a cruel home, is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

Hannah is a sweet and gentle three year old gray and white pit bull terrier who is waiting on a forever home at Indianapolis, Animal Care Services, 2600 S Harding St, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. She's shy at first but once she warms up is eager to love. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar

"Dogs who are stressed in the kennel tend to have a more difficult time finding an adopter, because they are either depressed or frustrated, and in turn, do not show a positive kennel presence," officials said in the Facebook post. "Giving these dogs a chance to get out, will not only help relieve and reduce kennel stress, it will also allow a potential adopter to see how the dog acts outside of the shelter environment."

Along with reducing stress, "Freedom for a Day" will give dogs the opportunity to potentially find an adopter during their day out with their Freedom Foster.

"We welcome our Freedom Fosters to take pictures and share the dogs’ story on social media to help them find a forever home!" officials said.